adjective
downbeat
DOWN-beet/ˈdaʊnbiːt/
Lacking optimism or enthusiasm.
His slumped posture and lowered gaze seem downbeat.
Etymology
The downward beat originally named the first note of a musical measure, marked by a conductor’s downward stroke. The gloomy sense probably arose through association with down meaning “depressed,” rather than the musical beat itself.
In context
i'm a reasonably downbeat depressed pessimistic person
More examples
- She sounded downbeat after the meeting.
- The film ends on a downbeat note.
- His downbeat forecast worried the team.
Forms
downbeat · more downbeat · most downbeat
Similar words
- pessimistic
- Pessimistic expects bad outcomes; downbeat describes a subdued or gloomy tone.
- somber
- Somber is serious and subdued; downbeat often suggests discouragement.